How to watch or stream the NFL Wild Card Playoffs live online free without cable

January 13, 2024 ndowd

Eleven months ago, the Kansas City Chiefs were celebrating a Super Bowl victory. By the end of this weekend, their season could be over for good.

It’s Wild Card time in the NFL and that often means some of the most nail-biting finishes of the year. Even for casual fans, this is must-see football.

The 2023 season was chaos from the very beginning, with many of the 12 teams playing this weekend once considered out of the running for the postseason. So all of them are hungry, but moving into the Divisional Rounds playoffs will take more than an appetite.

Here’s how best to catch it all.

Which NFL teams are playing this week? And what channels are airing the games?

Here’s who’s playing in the Wild Cards. (The home team is listed second.)

How can I watch the NFL Wild Card Games for free—even if I am out of market?

Most of the Wild Card games can be watched without a cable subscription, though note that Saturday night’s game is exclusive to the Peeacock streaming service.

The best way to watch over the air games for free on a big screen is with a good HD antenna. To ensure you’re getting the most reliable signal, be sure to test the antenna in multiple locations in your home.

Can I stream the NF Wild Card games live online if I don’t have a cable subscription?

You can—and, as mentioned, you’ll need to for one game this week.

Peacock

NBC’s streaming service will give you access to several games, including Saturday and Sunday night’s games. You can get a seven-day free trial, followed by a $6 or $12 monthly charge. (The free version of Peacock does not include live sports.)

Disney+

Disney’s bundle of Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ no longer has a free trial, so you’ll have to pay $15 per month for all three combined (or $25 per month for no ads on Hulu).

Including Live TV in the bundle bumps the price to $77 per month ($90 with no ads).

Hulu with Live TV

The free trial on this service is no longer offered, as well. It will now cost you $77 per month.

YouTubeTV

After up to a two-week trial, you can expect monthly charges of $73. YouTube is also now the home of Sunday Ticket.

Sling TV

Dish Network’s Sling lower-tiered “Orange” plan will run you $40 per month. Adding the more comprehensive “Blue” plan bumps the cost to $55 per month. The seven-day free trial has disappeared, but the cord-cutting service is offering 50% off of the first month’s bill.

DirecTV Stream

Formerly known as DirecTV Now, AT&T TVNow and AT&T TV, this oft-renamed streaming service will run you $75 per month and up after the free trial option.

Fubo TV

This sports-focused cord-cutting service carries broadcast networks in most markets. There’s a seven-day free trial, followed by monthly charges of $75 and up, depending on the channels you choose.

Can I watch the Wild Card Playoffs on Amazon?

Nope. Amazon’s out of the NFL streaming business until next season.

Does the NFL offer any viewing packages to watch the games I want?

It does…

NFL App

The NFL App will let you stream games that are being broadcast locally in your market on Sundays. If you want to watch an “out of market” game, you’ve got two choices.

NFL+

Watch live local and out of market games and (with the premium subscription) replays. There’s a seven-day free trial, after which you’re looking at a charge of $6.99 per month (including NFL Network). ($14.99 per month for premium, which includes NFL Network and RedZone.)

NFL Sunday Ticket

As mentioned above, YouTube has taken over broadcast duties for this channel, replacing DirecTV. With the current offered discounts, prices on the service (and the optional NFL Red Zone) currently range from $300 to $439 for the season.

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